Update to Our Nudity and Attire Policy

Apr 7 2020

April 21, 2020 - Update

Two weeks ago, we rolled out updates to our Nudity and Attire Policy. We’ve heard from you, the community, that you have questions about the new policy, and we wanted to provide clarification to help you better understand the guidelines and how they are enforced. Specifically, we’ve added clarity around nudity and sexual content in virtual reality and in-game roleplay. There are two notable clarifications to the policies. First, gameplay or visual modifications that include nudity or sex content, including de-censor patches, are prohibited, even in otherwise allowed games. Second, focusing your broadcast around sexual content or in-game nudity is not permitted, and users may not engage in simulated sexual activity or erotic roleplay in game play (as defined by our Sexually Suggestive Content guidelines). When interacting with in-game nudity or sexual content in a permitted game, users may only spend as much time as is required to progress through the game.

Supporting our community is our first priority, and we’ll continue to listen to your feedback and make changes to support your experience on Twitch as needed.

Our Community Guidelines are designed to support safe and welcoming communities on Twitch. These guidelines outline what is allowed on Twitch, expectations for streamers and viewers, and more. We want Twitch to continue to be a place where live content creators can thrive whether they’re streaming their game play, travels, or musical performances. And as Twitch has grown globally around new types of content, so has the need for more transparency around what’s expected. This has been a team effort with months’ worth of work to ensure we are doing right by our community. We felt it was important to share this now, as many new faces are joining Twitch, so that all creators have the information they need to create their content.

Historically, to address the variety of situations and content on Twitch, our policy on Nudity and Attire focused on context. We’ve heard from our community, however, that our policy isn’t clear enough about what is and is not allowed on stream, and in particular that more detail is needed for streams like body art or outdoor streams. We want to be more transparent and consistent about our expectations, so today we’re rolling out an update to our Nudity and Attire policy that outlines detailed examples of what is and is not permitted.

This is what you can expect starting today:

Standard Guidelines

We are shifting from a garment-specific policy to one based on a standard level of coverage, with exceptions for certain situations. We’ve outlined these minimum levels of coverage to increase clarity on expectations, so you’re not left guessing what is or is not acceptable.

We don’t permit streamers to be fully or partially nude, including exposing genitals or buttocks. We do not permit the visible outline of genitals, even when covered. Broadcasting nude or partially nude minors is always prohibited, regardless of context.

For those who present as women, we ask that you cover your nipples. We do not permit exposed underbust. Cleavage is unrestricted as long as these coverage requirements are met.

For all streamers, you must cover the area extending from your hips to the bottom of your pelvis and buttocks.

For those areas of the body where coverage is required, the coverage must be fully opaque - sheer or partially see-through clothing does not constitute coverage

Augmented reality avatars that translate real-life movement into digital characters are subject to this standard, as is cosplay and other costumes — for details on how this policy applies to IRL, outdoors and body art, please continue reading.

Our previous policy relied on an assumed shared understanding of what is appropriate in specific contexts. Establishing a standard for coverage reduces the policy’s reliance on an assumed single definition of contextually acceptable. This new standard better translates across global contexts and will help improve enforcement consistency.

Situational Exceptions

We recognize that there are situations that call for attire that is prohibited under our standard guidelines, such as swimming, body art, concerts, and festivals, so we’ve added exceptions to help you successfully navigate those occasions. Explanations for each of the exceptions listed below can be found within the updated policy.

IRL streaming

Swim and beaches, concerts and festivals

Body art

Context transitions

Embedded media, studio and other Twitch-endorsed content

Breastfeeding

This list is not exhaustive, and we will update it periodically as the community’s needs evolve. If you find yourself in a situation that is not described by one of our exceptions and would like it considered for future inclusion, please email policyfeedback@twitch.tv. In the meantime, you are expected to follow the standard guidelines outlined above.

Alongside the updates we’re making to our Nudity and Attire Policy, we’ve added clarification to our Sexually Suggestive Content policy. We continue to evaluate attire and sexual content separately and as always, sexually explicit and suggestive content are prohibited on Twitch. To further clarify our stance, we’ve added concrete examples of content considered sexually suggestive. Again this list is not exhaustive but seeks to minimize uncertainty about our expectations and considerations when our safety operations team is making evaluations.

Our goal is to create policies that are both comprehensive and broadly relevant to the incredibly diverse Twitch community. To ensure we looked at this policy holistically and considered a diverse set of perspectives, we conducted research about Nudity and Attire on Twitch with creators across a variety of content types, including gaming, music, body painting, and fitness. We leveraged this research, global cultural considerations, reports from the community, and a review of past cases to update the policy. We will continue to listen to and learn from feedback from you, the community, as we consider future policy revisions. We are committed to improvement and prepared to make changes to better the quality of life for our viewers and creators on Twitch.

FAQs

How do the new rules about AR Avatars impact my content if I stream a virtual reality sandbox game like VRChat?

Our policy on Augmented Reality avatars applies to content where cameras and software are used to capture a person’s physical likeness and translate it into a digital overlay. VRChat is categorized as a game on Twitch, and in-game virtual reality models are not subject to our policy on Nudity and Attire. This content must still comply with our policy on Nudity and Sexual Content in Embedded Media and Games however, so you may not modify your game to include nudity, or make sexual elements a primary focus of your broadcast.

Will there be a grace period?

No, this policy is effective immediately.

What should I do if I was suspended for something that is now allowed?

At this time we are not reevaluating existing, valid enforcements of older versions of the Nudity and Attire Policy. Although your content may not violate the new policy, it violated the guidelines in place when the enforcement was issued.

What about old content that violates the new policy?

For older content that violates these new standards, we’re asking individuals to evaluate their videos and remove any violative content by May 1. After that time, if reported, we will remove the content, but no other enforcement actions will be taken against the channel.

What should I do if I find old content that violates the new policy on someone else’s channel?

After May 1st, you may report the content and Twitch will determine whether it violates the new guidelines. If the content was previously acceptable, but violates the new policy, Twitch will remove it.

I’m an artist and I want to paint a nude portrait not intended to be sexual. Can I stream my nude figure drawing?

We do not yet provide sufficient tools for viewers to limit their exposure to nudity and mature content so artistic and educational nudity are not allowed at this time. Unless your content meets one of the exceptions outlined, you should follow the standard guidelines of the policy.

I have feedback on the new policy, what should I do?

We are collecting feedback on the Nudity and Attire Policy, specifically about exceptions, via email at policyfeedback@twitch.tv. If you have an immediate concern and aren’t sure whether your attire is acceptable, we recommend referring to the standard guidelines of the policy, which outlines coverage requirements.